Improving Health Outcomes with Kefir: A Human Clinical Study

University of Alberta

About the KEFIR-IM Study

Our study examines how traditional kefir, a fermented dairy drink, may be associated with metabolic and immune health outcomes in adults at risk of elevated blood sugars or living with Type 2 Diabetes.

Unlike many commercially available kefir products, traditional kefir contains a diverse mixture of bacteria and yeast, which may play a role in health-related outcomes. In our prior pilot study, we observed promising changes in cardiovascular risk markers following traditional kefir consumption. Building on these findings, this current study focuses on adults at risk of elevated blood sugars or those living with Type 2 Diabetes.

We want to see whether regular consumption of traditional kefir is associated with changes in vascular, gut and immune health over a 12-week period in both females and male adults.

Participation in the Kefir-IM Study at the University of Alberta is entirely voluntary.

Who is Eligible

You may be eligible to take part if you:

Are 24-70 years old
Have normal or elevated blood sugar levels* or are living with Type 2 Diabetes

Not sure about your blood sugar?

We can test it for you as part of the screening process.

Check Your Eligibility

Click to take the eligibility survey:
https://redcap.link/fds5if5c

Scan the QR code:

Image by chandlervid85 on Freepik

Your Study Experience

The study lasts 12 weeks and involves 15 visits to our research site in Edmonton. At the start of the study, you will be randomly assigned to receive either:

Traditional kefir, or
A placebo drink

Neither you nor the research team will know which drink you are receiving during the study.

Each week, you will visit the research site to pick up your study drink and return any unused portions.

At Week 0, Week 6 and Week 12, you will attend a longer visit at our research unit, which includes health measurements and a blood sample collection.

What We Collect

To understand how traditional kefir may influence metabolic, immune, and gut health, we collect a small number of standard research measures over the course of the study.

Brief questionnaires about the fermented foods you eat, physical activity and general health.
Body measurements: height, weight, body circumferences, and body composition.
Blood pressure: measured at your visits.
Blood samples: used to assess blood sugar, markers of heart and metabolic health, inflammation, and immune cell profiles.
Stool samples: collected to help us learn more about the gut microbiota. Clear instructions and materials are provided, and samples are handled confidentially.

Compensation

As a token of appreciation for your time and participation you will receive:

$75 gift card at Week 6
$75 gift card at Week 12 (upon completing the study)

We also reimburse parking or public transit costs for all study visits.

Ethics Approval and Funding

This study has been approved by a University of Alberta Research Ethics Board (Pro00139307) and by Health Canada.
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT06695221
Funding: Weston Family Foundation

Location

University of Alberta (North Campus)

Located at the Human Nutrition Research Unit on the 2nd floor of Li Ka Shing Centre for Health Innovation.
2-004 8602 112 Street, University of Alberta. Edmonton, AB,T6G 2E1